Lower MPG with wider tires?

[Xandor]

I'm looking for 33in tires that work well on the highway as I drive my truck about 350 miles a week. I'm getting good MPGs as is and I'd like to keep it that way. I have a new rear end and front end with lower gears to offset the new bigger tires. The only 10.50 ones coming up are ones I don't want BFG AT's. I like what I see in the 12.50 ones though. More Highway friendly, but I'm wondering how much this hurt me going so much wider? I need new rims too so I can get whatever size I need.

 

[06RangerXLT]

unless your in mud 24/7 the bfg at's will take you where ever you may want to go. i have 30" bfg at's on my truck and they romp over whatever i point them at. the wider the tire the worse mpg. and just because a website doesnt carry a tire in your width, doesnt mean the MFG doesn't sell them

 

[4.0B2]

Look at the new grabber's. Guy I know is running them on the jeep. Don't really know about thread wear yet since they are relatively new still. I could give you the link to where he rates them.

 

[doorgunner]

Fat tires = fat gas receipt..........decisions--decisions!!!

 

[--weezl--]

fwiw, i went from 31x10.5 on aluminum 15x8 alcoas, to 33x12.5 on steel 15x10's, and i didn't notice a huge difference in gas mileage... i did notice quite a difference in power though...

 

[superds]

I would look at 16" or 17" wheels. The metric sizes available there seem to be a bit skinnier per height. For example, you could get a 285/75R16 tire which is close to 33x11.50R16. A narrower width like this might also help with fitment issues, depending on your lift situation, as well as the possibility of slightly less deteriorated fuel mileage.

 

[strvger]

if you can live with 32" tires, take a look at these:

http://www.treadwright.com/shopnow/.../category/categoryid/11/sename/235-85R16.aspx

i'm running the at tread. tall, skinny, E-rated, excellent wear, decent price, great traction, won't hurt your gas mileage nearly as much as the big, wide tires.
just my $.02

 

[mp3deviant721]

You also want to run them at the manufacturer's max psi as well. That number should give you the max mpg you can get while keeping tire life long.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

You also want to run them at the manufacturer's max psi as well. That number should give you the max mpg you can get while keeping tire life long.

Wrong....you want to run them at the VEHICLE manufacturers recommended pressure...not the max on the side wall of the tire. Read the fine print on the side wall of any tire....it specifically states to run the tire at the vehicle manufacturers pressures.

Say if he puts E rated tires on it...max pressure is 80psi.....80 psi in a ranger is going to wear the centers off the tires and your ride is going to go for shit.

 

[mp3deviant721]

Wrong....you want to run them at the VEHICLE manufacturers recommended pressure...not the max on the side wall of the tire. Read the fine print on the side wall of any tire....it specifically states to run the tire at the vehicle manufacturers pressures.

Say if he puts E rated tires on it...max pressure is 80psi.....80 psi in a ranger is going to wear the centers off the tires and your ride is going to go for shit.

I know that you are supposed to run them at what manufacturer recommends. I know that. But did not take into consideration about the different ratings. So please ignore what I posted earlier. I haven't had much sleep in the past few days. Oops. Sasquatch_Ryda is right.

 

[Xandor]

I would look at 16" or 17" wheels. The metric sizes available there seem to be a bit skinnier per height. For example, you could get a 285/75R16 tire which is close to 33x11.50R16. A narrower width like this might also help with fitment issues, depending on your lift situation, as well as the possibility of slightly less deteriorated fuel mileage.

I like this Idea. Any downside to bigger rims?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I like this Idea. Any downside to bigger rims?

Better handling...

Tires can be more, but with more new trucks using them they are getting better priced.

I love my 17's...

 

[04sd]

I like this Idea. Any downside to bigger rims?

IMHO, stay away from E rated tires for a Ranger, and try to keep your tire + wheel weight as low as possible.

 

[triumphrider-1]

Depending on the brand but, when the rim size increases and overall diameter is the same, the tire is heavier than one with a smaller rim.

 

[strvger]

i've been running E rated tires for 4 years now. no complaints from me.
and i don't use Ford's recommended air pressure in them. i just get the maximum weight at max pressure on the tire, weigh my truck at the scale with everything on board, calculate the psi i need for my truck. when i hook up my camping trailer, i just add the additional air i need for it's weigh on the hitch. never had any problems doing it that way. ride is firm, but not harsh. tire wear is even. tire mileage is very good. they never get hot as i check when refueling on long drives. good enough for me.